Local Mother-Daughter Cancer Survivors Bring “Waves of Hope”

Columbia SC Moms Blog is honored to partner with Northwestern Mutual to bring our readers the following post.

Seven-year-old Edie Gilger greeted me with a smile and a confident handshake when we met. Her poise was befitting of our interview setting, the Sims-Stackhouse Mansion in downtown Columbia, SC. And as her family and I made our way to our seats in the parlor, I realized that I was holding my breath – a thing I sometimes do when I am nervous.

What questions should I ask? Was my prepared list good enough?

Do you know that unexpected weightiness of feeling that comes when meeting someone of importance?

Here in this historic home, I sat staring at two ladies who were part of medical history.

Edie and her mother Emily both received a trial drug treatment targeted specifically for neuroblastoma, a pediatric cancer. Their story from diagnoses to treatments to cancer-free is fascinating. It was after Edie’s treatments that her mother Emily discovered she had the very same cancer. Emily was pregnant with her second child and gave birth early before her treatments began.

“I’ve actually Googled you a bit,” I confessed to Edie. “I know that you’re on YouTube and have been on television and now you are set to ride on Northwestern Mutual’s float in the Rose parade! How do you feel about this celebrity-hood?”

Edie hesitated. I leaned over towards her a bit, not knowing if she was shy or about to indulge me in some sweet secret.

Then her face broke out into a huge grin.

“It’s fun!” she said.

And we all laughed.

This is what I will remember most about my hour with the Gilgers. There were lots of smiles and lots of laughs.

And my interview took a surprising turn. It was not an hour of sadness, though my eyes did fill a few times. It was instead an hour that culminated hope.

I believe that same hope is what Northwestern Mutual will convey at the 2017 Rose Parade when Edie’s family rides their float, celebrating the joy of childhood and the hope for all the “moments” that could be made possible for children battling cancer. They’ll share the spotlight with their own Dr. Yael Mossé, researcher at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. They’ll celebrate Steve Guinan, a Northwestern Mutual leader in the company’s commitment to fund childhood cancer research.

So … what if you were going to be in the Rose Parade?

Imagine it.

Yes, I asked her all the good stuff that you’d want to know.

Have you ever been to California? No, I’ve never been to Pasadena!

Do you know what the float will look like? Yes! I’m going to look like I’m riding on a giant wave.

How long is the route? What if you have to go to the bathroom? (Yikes!)

Have they had you practice your wave to the crowd? No, but dad wants me to wave like this … (much laughter)

Do you know what you’re going to wear? YES, LILLY!

So … what if you or your child or your friend were diagnosed, like Edie and Emily?

Imagine it.

Yes, I asked Edie’s mom those questions you’d want to know.

She shared how her husband Nick’s support carried her. She shared how family and friends rallied to help. She shared how small routines during their long stays at the hospital helped make life a bit normal. She shared how much she needed to talk and how special people listened to her well.

She recommended reaching out and doing research, finding good hospitals and doctors and asking about targeted therapies.

She admitted to the many others she’s listened to since her journey to cancer-free.

So … what if we continued to find successful treatments for childhood cancers?

Imagine it.

Yes, I asked Edie’s dad about their involvement in research. How did it feel to give your daughter a trial drug? How does it feel now? He beamed when looking at the two ladies sitting on the couch beside him.

He spoke of gratitude. He spoke of life. He spoke of hope. He told me about going into the labs at the hospital.

“They’re doing research right there,” he exclaimed.

We talked about medical science and what it has and might achieve. I asked if we could make a movie about such an inspiring success.

About Melanie Mcgehee

Melanie McGehee never knew she wanted to be a mom. Even marriage caught her somewhat by surprise, in spite of the fact that she met husband Andy through a matchmaking service. She thanked eharmony by writing about that experience for an anthology, A Cup of Comfort for Women in Love.
Almost two years to the day after marrying him, she stared at two pink lines and wonder aloud, “Is this okay?” His response, “Kind of late to be asking that now.” It was a bit late – in life. But at the advanced maternal age of 35, she delivered by surprise at 35 weeks and an emergency C-section, a healthy bay boy.
Ian, an only child like herself, is ten years old and unlike any of the children Melanie has tutored, substitute taught, or led in a variety of church activities. Together with him, Melanie has discovered Thomas, SpongeBob, youtube tech channels, Lemony Snicket, Kate DiCamillo, shirts with no tags, and tooth powder. You can follow Melanie’s personal adventures and her love of children and teaching at beingmissmelanie.